Thornton Wilder

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Thornton Wilder Biography

Thornton Wilder’s biggest hit took place on an empty stage. Our Town, which remains one of the most frequently produced plays in America, revolutionized the way audiences thought about the theatrical event. In addition to its stripped-down aesthetic, the play is narrated by a stage manager who oversees the proceedings. Similarly, The Skin of Our Teeth plays with traditional notions of how time is represented theatrically. Wilder had a knack for balancing opposites in his work: simplicity and complexity, humor and pathos, and reality and fantasy. In addition to his playwriting, Wilder cemented his reputation as a novelist with the publication of The Bridge of San Luis Rey, which remains a staple of literature curricula in the United States.

Facts and Trivia

  • Wilder came from an accomplished family. His brother was a poet and tennis player who taught at Harvard and competed in Wimbledon.
  • Wilder was actually born a twin. His brother, however, did not survive childhood.
  • Wilder was well-educated. He studied at both Yale and Princeton.
  • Wilder is one of the few playwrights to have won multiple Pulitzer Prizes. The first was for the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey.
  • Wilder’s play The Merchant of Yankees was initially a flop. When he reworked it fifteen years later as The Matchmaker, it was enormously successful. The play was eventually adapted into an even more successful musical version, Hello, Dolly!

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Thornton Niven Wilder, esteemed for his profound contributions to American literature, earned three Pulitzer Prizes during his career. Born into a family that appreciated letters, his upbringing was marked by constant relocations due to his father’s career. His works continue to capture imaginations, exploring deep philosophical questions through both novels and plays.

Early Life and Education

Thornton Wilder entered the world on April 17, 1897, in Madison, Wisconsin. His father, Amos Parker Wilder, was the editor of the Wisconsin State Journal, while his mother, Isabella Thornton Niven Wilder, came from a family of literary inclination. Despite his father’s skepticism about the literary profession, all five Wilder siblings pursued careers in writing. The family moved frequently, living in places such as Hong Kong and New Haven, which provided Wilder with a cultured upbringing. After attending high schools in Chefoo, China, and in California, Wilder studied at Oberlin College before completing his undergraduate degree at Yale University in 1920. His education was briefly interrupted by World War I, where he served as a corporal. Wilder further enriched his knowledge with a year at the American Academy in Rome, an experience that inspired his first novel, The Cabala. He finalized his formal education with a master's degree in French from Princeton University in 1926.

Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

Between 1921 and 1928, Wilder balanced teaching French at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey with his writing ambitions. His play, The Trumpet Shall Sound, was submitted to the American Laboratory Theatre in 1926 but received lukewarm reviews, including one from The New York Times that described it as "a rather murky evening." Despite this setback, Wilder's determination to write never waned. He worked tirelessly on The Bridge of San Luis Rey, a novel set in colonial Peru that weaves a narrative around a tragic bridge collapse. This novel, which explores the themes of fate and destiny, earned Wilder his first Pulitzer Prize and solidified his reputation as a writer of note.

Becoming a Full-Time Writer

In 1928, with the success of his novel, Wilder left his teaching position to focus exclusively on writing. He published The Woman of Andros, a novel set in ancient Greece, addressing existential questions such as "How does one live?" and "What does one do first?" Known for drawing on themes from the Bible and classical sources, Wilder offered fresh perspectives on timeless questions. As his fame grew, he embarked on journeys across Europe with boxing champion Gene Tunney and delivered lectures throughout America, gathering inspiration for future projects. One of his theatrical experiments, The Long Christmas Dinner, highlighted his innovative approach to reducing stage props and enhancing plot and character development. His travels eventually drew him to settle in the Midwest.

Academic Ventures and Literary Triumphs

From 1930 to 1936, Wilder joined the University of Chicago as a lecturer in literature. The university, under the leadership of Robert M. Hutchins, emphasized a core program of humanities centered around "great books." While teaching, Wilder split his time between instructing a large literature course and a smaller writing seminar, allowing him ample time to write. The period was marked by both acclaim and controversy. Admired by society circles, he faced criticism from academics who perceived his work as lacking social depth. A significant blow came from Michael Gold's essay in The New Republic, accusing Wilder of avoiding relevant social issues. Nevertheless, his novel, Heaven’s My Destination, was selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club.

Success in Theater

Wilder's belief in theater as "the greatest of all art forms" motivated him to move to New Haven...

(This entire section contains 1028 words.)

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in 1937 and dive back into playwriting. This decision proved fruitful when his playOur Town earned him a second Pulitzer Prize. Set in early twentieth-century New Hampshire, the play captures "ordinary lives" with "extraordinary meaning," becoming perhaps Wilder's most celebrated work. It stands out for its minimalist staging and rich thematic complexity.

World War II and Later Achievements

During World War II, Wilder served in the Air Force Intelligence Corps in Italy, where he rose to the rank of major. The war's tumult deeply affected him, leading to the creation of The Skin of Our Teeth, a play that brought him his third Pulitzer Prize. An allegory of humanity's endurance, it received mixed reviews—praised as "the best pure theater" of its time but also critiqued as "a philosophy class conducted in a monkey house." Adding to the turmoil was the accusation of plagiarism by Joseph Campbell and Henry Robinson, who claimed Wilder's work echoed James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. Though cleared of these charges, the episode left Wilder unsettled.

Legacy and Final Works

Post-war, Wilder embarked on tours across Latin America and lectured in Europe, also serving as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions like Harvard University. In 1947, he released Our Century, followed by the novel The Ides of March in 1948, a narrative centered on Julius Caesar’s quest for identity. Wilder revisited and revised an earlier play, The Merchant of Yonkers, transforming it into The Matchmaker, which later inspired the musical Hello, Dolly!, starring Carol Channing, achieving immense popularity and expanding Wilder’s reach.

Concluding Chapters

As he aged, Wilder reflected on life’s complexities in his novel The Eighth Day, which delves into humanity’s ongoing struggle against benevolent and malevolent forces. Set in the Midwest, it underscores the idea that humanity is still in its youth, living in perpetual cycles of "fair and foul weather." This novel won the National Book Award and paved the way for Theophilus North, an autobiographical work reflecting Wilder’s own multifaceted personality. Receiving warm reviews, the book served as his literary farewell. Wilder passed away in Hamden, Connecticut, on December 7, 1975, leaving behind a legacy of literary excellence.

Recognition and Influence

Wilder’s contributions were acknowledged through numerous honorary degrees and international honors, including the Legion of Honor and the Order of Merit from Germany and Peru. Critics noted his "sophisticated and urbane" style, commending his relentless pursuit of perfection and commitment to classical ideals. A lifelong devotee of Congregationalism and a dedicated educator, whether in academia or through his theatrical works, Wilder masterfully reinterpreted classical humanist ideals for the modern age, securing his place as a pillar in both American and global literature.

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